First Report - Biodiversity in the UK: bloom or bust?

The government has amended the Environment Bill to include a legally binding target to halt species decline by 2030, with details to be set by October 2022, and outlines a statutory cycle for monitoring and reporting on environmental improvement plans.

The government details ongoing and planned actions, including scoping an inspectorate and allocating funding for invasive non-native species, awarding contracts for biocontrol methods, and initiatives from the England Trees Action Plan. It also notes an upcoming GB Plant Biosecurity Strategy by 2022, all contributing to biosecurity and biodiversity but not explicitly a new overarching system for environmental restoration.

The government states that the Environment Bill already places an explicit duty on government to meet species abundance and other environmental targets, and that the Office for Environmental Protection will provide regular scrutiny to ensure accountability.

The government states that Natural England has already received a 47% increase in its Grant in Aid budget and has increased external income by over 90% since 2013 to support biodiversity monitoring. It also highlights existing bodies responsible for monitoring.

The government accepts the recommendations, stating it is developing new soil health indicators, investing £8.8m in research, plans to launch a new soil health standard in 2023, and is committed to setting a legally binding target for soil health as soon as data allows. Healthy soils are a key priority for ELM schemes.

The government states that the Outcome Indicator Framework already provides a method for reporting on the progress of the 25 Year Environment Plan and its goals, drawing together measures to describe environmental change.

In response to concerns about a lack of clear statutory targets, the government states it has amended the Environment Bill to require a new legally binding target to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030, with details to be set by October 2022. It also outlines a robust statutory cycle of monitoring, planning, and reporting to ensure targets are met.

The government accepts the recommendation, detailing how it is already involving over 3,000 farmers in co-designing and testing ELM schemes through the Test and Trials programme, and plans further engagement workshops this Autumn.

The government accepts the recommendation, outlining its Agricultural Transition Plan and new Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes (Sustainable Farming Incentive, Local Nature Recovery, Landscape Recovery). It commits to developing these schemes with farmers, providing tailored advice and support, and ongoing engagement to achieve biodiversity goals.

The government highlights its investment in nature restoration and nature-based solutions through the £640m Nature for Climate and £80m Green Recovery Challenge funds, aiming to treble tree planting rates and restore 35,000ha of peatland by 2025.

The government states it is investing in nature restoration, including a Peatland Grant Scheme to restore approximately 35,000 hectares of peatland by 2025, through existing funds like the £640m Nature for Climate Fund.

The government states it is investing in nature restoration and nature-based solutions through funds like the £640m Nature for Climate Fund, which aims to treble tree planting rates by the end of Parliament and includes a Peatland Grant Scheme.

The government has commissioned the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to develop a global environmental footprint indicator as part of the 25 Year Environment Plan's Outcome Indicators Framework, with the first phase published and further development underway to inform future policy.

The government states it is a proud defender of sexual and reproductive health and rights, highlighting past spending and commitments to use aid and diplomacy to empower women, and confirms it will continue to fund relevant programs despite difficult financial decisions.

The government acknowledges GDP limitations and commits to further work with ONS, including providing additional funding, to improve the incorporation of nature into national accounts and natural capital estimates.

The government highlights its existing global leadership in natural capital approaches, referencing G7 agreements, UN guidance development (which it funded and contributed to), and ongoing work with the UN Statistical Division.

The government states the UK is already demonstrating global leadership by securing G7 agreements on natural capital accounting and embedding biodiversity in financial decision-making, and has actively contributed to the UN Statistical Commission's approval of ecosystem accounting guidance.

The government acknowledges the conclusion and commits to further action by working with the ONS and providing additional funding to improve the incorporation of nature into national accounts and natural capital estimates.

The government states that departments are already required to assess environmental impacts using the Green Book, which is continuously improved through revisions and new supplementary guidance on biodiversity valuation.

The government states that departments are already required to assess environmental impacts using the Green Book framework, which has been continuously improved, including revised guidance and new supplementary guidance on biodiversity valuation.